“Mother, be careful.” Qiao Zhao supported He Shi as she stepped over the threshold. When passing by Shao Mingyuan, who stood rigidly at the entrance, she gave him a smiling glance.

Shao Mingyuan turned to follow, and seeing his sympathetic personal guard, he lightly kicked him.

He wanted to kick this fellow to death – such important intelligence, and he didn’t report it! Had everything he’d taught them been eaten by dogs?

He Shi walked into the courtyard and stopped to look around.

Shao Mingyuan’s heart rose to his throat.

Did his future mother-in-law think the courtyard wasn’t clean enough? Or did she find it too cramped?

He Shi suddenly turned around. Shao Mingyuan quickly stopped and said with lowered brows and modest demeanor: “It’s freezing outside. Please come inside and sit.”

He Shi raised her delicate eyebrows.

The young man’s attitude was quite good, but—

From the corner of her eye, He Shi glanced at her flower-like daughter and snorted coldly in her heart.

She wouldn’t be deceived. This fellow was acting humble and obedient now, but wasn’t it all about abducting her daughter?

He Shi entered the main hall. After taking her seat, she accepted the teacup offered by the personal guard. After taking a sip and lowering her head, she couldn’t help but pause.

It was actually honey water.

Seeing He Shi’s reaction, Shao Mingyuan explained gently: “You’re with child, so tea isn’t suitable. Honey water is better.”

Hearing Shao Mingyuan’s words, He Shi’s heart felt as if soaked in honey water – very comforting. The corners of her mouth couldn’t help but show a bright smile.

Shao Mingyuan secretly sighed in relief.

Zhaozhao’s current mother looked too young. He couldn’t help being nervous – what if she disliked him for being too old and unworthy of Zhaozhao?

Moreover, he had secretly bought the residence next to theirs…

Just as Shao Mingyuan was feeling anxious, he suddenly felt someone lightly kick his shin.

He turned his head and met Qiao Zhao’s half-smiling gaze, quickly averting his eyes and assuming a serious expression.

He could act unrestrained in front of others, but in front of his future mother-in-law, he’d better behave himself.

“How did Your Lordship think to invite our Third Miss out?” He Shi put down her teacup and asked.

Shao Mingyuan’s mouth twitched as he replied respectfully: “This junior has matters to consult Third Miss about.”

How could it be called inviting? He wasn’t some libertine abducting people’s daughters.

He Shi turned to glance at Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao said softly: “Mother, we indeed have serious business to discuss.”

Hearing Qiao Zhao say this, He Shi put aside her critical mood and stood up: “Then you two discuss. Mother will go to tour Your Lordship’s garden.”

Shao Mingyuan signaled to his guard and stood up: “Please walk carefully.”

Only after the guard accompanied He Shi outside did Shao Mingyuan collapse into the armchair and exhale heavily.

Qiao Zhao smiled with pursed lips: “General Shao, those who don’t know might think you’d been fighting for a day and night.”

Shao Mingyuan’s face was pale: “This is much more exhausting than fighting.”

The man looked pitifully at the young lady: “No, Zhaozhao must kiss me once to soothe my devastated soul.”

Qiao Zhao slapped his hand: “Talk about serious matters!”

Shao Mingyuan took advantage to grab Qiao Zhao’s hand and leaned closer: “Letting me kiss you is also fine—”

Before he finished speaking, He Shi’s voice came from the doorway: “I forgot to take my hand warmer—”

Shao Mingyuan quickly released Qiao Zhao’s hand, his heart pounding wildly.

Being caught red-handed by her mother, Qiao Zhao’s face immediately flushed red as she glared fiercely at the troublemaking man.

She had just said they had serious business to discuss, and the moment she sent her mother away, he started acting up…

“Didn’t you two have matters to discuss? Why are you both standing there in a daze?” He Shi looked confused.

Qiao Zhao and Shao Mingyuan exchanged glances and both sighed in relief.

After He Shi left with her hand warmer, Shao Mingyuan no longer dared to misbehave. He sat properly and smiled at Qiao Zhao.

“What are you smiling about?” Qiao Zhao asked irritably.

“Our luck was pretty good – we weren’t caught.”

“What do you mean by ‘our’? You’re the thick-skinned one!”

“Yes, I’m the thick-skinned one. Our Zhaozhao is thin-skinned. Don’t be angry with me.”

“Speak then, what’s the matter?”

Shao Mingyuan briefly explained the fire at the Ministry of Justice offices during the night.

Qiao Zhao secretly clenched her handkerchief and sneered: “Those people still won’t give up!”

“Yes, Fudong’s position is quite delicate. The Lanshan father and son have been operating there for years – how could they willingly be uprooted completely?”

If Fudong got a new garrison commander but the people below remained unchanged, that new commander would just be an empty shell. If everyone were replaced, it wouldn’t be so easy to extend influence there again.

This way, the Lanshan father and son would undoubtedly lose a substantial source of income.

Shao Mingyuan gazed at the young lady before him and sighed softly: “Zhaozhao, fortunately, you insisted on memorizing that account book then.”

“I was just guarding against this possibility – it’s better to be safe than sorry. Since Big Brother went to the Ministry of Justice to write the account book from memory long ago, why are you only informing me now?”

Shao Mingyuan just smiled without speaking.

Qiao Zhao thought for a moment and suddenly understood.

He wanted her to sleep a bit more.

Qiao Zhao felt somewhat moved for a moment, but fearing that showing it might get her caught by her mother again, she could only smile with pursed lips. Her voice softened: “Then let me write out the account book from memory first.”

The two entered the study.

The study was simply furnished but had everything necessary.

Qiao Zhao lifted one sleeve with her hand, sat upright, and began writing the account book from memory. Shao Mingyuan stood beside her, grinding ink.

For a time, the study was quietly peaceful with only the soft sound of writing.

Warm winter sunlight streamed through the window, coating the young lady’s profile with a faint glow, making her fair complexion appear almost translucent, peaceful and gentle.

Shao Mingyuan was momentarily mesmerized. A drop of ink stained his sleeve corner, but he was completely unaware, still gazing intently at his beloved girl.

Qiao Zhao stopped writing and turned her head: “Aren’t you tired standing there foolishly?”

“Not tired.”

“Even if you’re not tired, sit down.”

He wasn’t made of iron – the dark circles under his eyes were frightening enough, yet he still insisted on showing off.

“Alright.” The man obediently sat down.

Time passed bit by bit, but Shao Mingyuan felt it was going too quickly.

After today, who knew when he’d be able to see Zhaozhao again?

He Shi finished touring the bare garden and had the personal guard lead her to the study. Looking through the open window at the scene inside, she couldn’t help but stop.

Her daughter was busy – she’d better not disturb her.

Shao Mingyuan, being quite alert, sensed He Shi’s gaze and immediately quietly stood up, walking out with light steps.

“Have you finished touring? Would you like to come inside and rest?”

“No need, I’ll return to the residence first.”

“This junior will escort you.”

“No need to trouble Your Lordship – it’s just next door. Besides, it wouldn’t look good if people saw.” He Shi spoke bluntly.

Shao Mingyuan silently looked up at the sky.

His future mother-in-law was direct!

After signaling his guard to escort He Shi out, Shao Mingyuan finally completely relaxed. When Qiao Zhao put down her brush, he handed her a cup of honey water and then asked: “Zhaozhao, when do you think would be good for me to go to your house to propose marriage?”